Causes

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is considered one of the new diseases of the late twentieth century and the cause is not really known. In 1983, Dr Graham Hughes and his team in London described in detail a condition – often known as “sticky blood”, in which there was a danger of thrombosis (clotting).

If you are diagnosed with APS as a secondary disorder (you also have lupus or another autoimmune disorder), the cause is then considered to be the lupus or other disorder that you have.

The cause of primary APS (you only have the syndrome) is unknown. There are some factors that are associated with developing the antiphospholipd syndrome, but not necessarily the syndrome. These factors can include infections, medications and genetic predispositions, however, the disorder isn’t considered hereditary.